Air pump with dual power supply

ABSTRACT

A portable air pump has a fan, a main body with a cavity, an air inlet and outlet, a motor connected to the fan, a removable rechargeable battery pack, and a plurality of individual dry cell batteries. The cavity has an opening for alternately receiving one of the battery pack and the plurality of individual dry cell batteries. A door has a closed position, which closes the opening of the cavity, and has an open position for permitting the alternate installation and removal of the battery pack and plurality of dry cell batteries. A first electric circuit is formed when the battery pack is inserted into the cavity and the door is in the closed position, and a second electric electrical circuit is formed when the plurality of individual dry cells are inserted into the cavity and the door is in the closed position permitting the air pump to be powered by the battery pack, or, during removal and recharging of the battery pack, by the dry cell batteries.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/895,214, filed Mar. 16, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to the field of portable air pumps and, in particular, to portable air pumps suitable for inflating air beds.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Prior portable air pumps, such as for inflating air beds and other uses, typically include a motor, a fan and a power source. The power source may be an A/C or D/C power source, or both. Typically, such A/C power sources comprise a power cord that may be connected to a standard power outlet. A/C power is a constant and reliable power source; however, it requires the presence of a power outlet within reach of the cord.

D/C power sources of prior portable air pumps typically include a specialized rechargeable portable battery pack, which may be removable or permanently installed in the air pump. Such rechargeable battery packs are a convenient means to power portable air pumps, however, they eventually drain and must be recharged, which may take several hours. When such rechargeable battery packs are drained and/or during recharging, they are unavailable as a power source. Therefore, the portable air plump may not be operated (or operated optimally) by the D/C power source at these times.

Therefore, what is desired is an alternative D/C power source for a portable air pump that may be employed during recharging of the rechargeable battery pack, such that the air pump may remain operable during such periods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the above and other features of the invention, reference shall be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully-assembled, first embodiment, portable air pump constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the portable air pump of FIG. 1, showing a rechargeable battery pack;

FIG. 3A is a top view of the air pump of FIG. 1, with the door removed;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the door of the air pump of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a (inverted) perspective view of the rechargeable battery pack;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the rechargeable battery pack;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the rechargeable battery pack;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the rechargeable battery pack;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the air pump, showing the rechargeable battery pack inserted into the cavity, with the door removed;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the portable air pump of FIG. 1, showing a plurality of dry cell batteries;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the air pump, showing the dry cell batteries inserted into the cavity, with the door removed;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the air pump showing alternate installation of a battery pack or a plurality of dry cell batteries;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the air pump suitable for internal installation into an inflatable body;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a rechargeable battery pack suitable for the air pump of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the air pump;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the air pump of FIG. 14, with the door removed; and

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the door of the air pump of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-3B, a first embodiment of the air pump 10 of the present invention includes a main body 12, a top portion 14, a fan 16 disposed between the top portion and the main body, a motor 18 connected to and operable to drive the fan, a D/C power supply 20 which is in electrical connection with the motor, a door 36, and a power switch 40 in series with the D/C power supply and the motor 18.

The top portion 14 includes an air inlet 22 in fluid communication with the fan 16. The main body 12 and top portion 14 enclose the fan 16 and cooperate to form an air outlet 24 in fluid communication with the fan and air inlet.

The main body 12 has a cavity 26 in which the D/C power supply and the motor are disposed. Thus, the cavity 26 forms a common enclosure for both the motor 18 and the D/C power supply. The cavity has an opening 28 with a rim 30, and the cavity is formed by an end wall 32 and a peripheral wall 34 of the main body. The door 36 of the air pump is sized and shaped to mate with the rim to fully enclose the D/C power supply and motor within the air pump when the door is in a closed position. The door 36 and/or main body 12 include fastening means 38 (for example latches) that detachably connect the door to the main body. Preferably, the switch is located on the door.

The cavity 26 of the main body 12 (as viewed through the open end thereof with the door in an open position) has an elongated shape with a relatively long longitudinal axis and a relatively short lateral axis, as depicted. The motor 18 is preferably disposed in a center portion of the cavity, which center portion has a lateral width (as measured along the lateral axis) that is greater than a lateral dimension of the motor such that there exists a gap between the motor and the peripheral wall on at least one side of the motor. Preferably, the motor is disposed on, or substantially on, the intersection of the longitudinal and lateral axes of the cavity such there is a gap on both sides of the motor.

The cavity 26 has enlarged end portions 42, each having a width greater than the lateral width of the center portion of the cavity, as measured parallel to the lateral axis of the cavity. Preferably, the enlarged end portions are partially circular.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, the air pump includes a removable and rechargeable integral D/C battery pack 44 having a plurality of battery cells 46 permanently enclosed within a casing 48. The casing has a top 50 with a recess 52, four sides and a bottom 54. The battery cells 46 are arranged in pairs around (e.g., on either side of) the recess 52, within the casing 48. The rechargeable battery pack may also include a D/C recharging port 56 for recharging the battery pack.

The casing 48 of the battery pack is sized and shaped to fit within the cavity of the main body 12, with the motor 18 being received within the recess 52 of the casing 48. Preferably, the peripheral wall 34 of the main body 12 is in close proximity to the casing 48 on each of the four sides of the casing 48 such that the battery pack 44 is securely held within the cavity. Specifically, a lateral dimension of the casing 48 (as measured parallel to the lateral axis of the cavity) is substantially equal (or slightly less than) the width of the center portion of the cavity 26 and a longitudinal dimension of the battery pack 44 (as measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity) is substantially equal (or slightly less than) a corresponding length of the cavity 26.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the end wall 32 of the main body 12 includes a first pair of electrical contacts 60, 62, which are connected to opposite poles of the motor 18. The end wall 32 of the main body 12 also includes a second pair of electrical contacts 64, 66, which are connected together.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the door 36 includes a first pair of electrical contacts 68, 70, each connected to opposite poles of the switch 40 in the door 36, and includes a second pair of contacts 73, 74 connected together.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 & 8, the battery pack 44 includes a first pair of electrical contacts 76, 78 on the bottom 54 of the battery pack 44, each of which aligns with and contacts one of the electrical contacts of the first pair of contacts 68, 70 on the door 36. The battery pack 44 also includes a second pair of electrical contacts 80, 82 on the top 50 of the battery pack 44, each of which aligns with and contacts one of the electrical contacts 60, 62 of the first pair of electrical contacts on the end wall 32 of the main body 12.

When the battery pack 44 is inserted into the cavity 26 of the main body 12 and the door 36 is closed, an electric circuit is formed by the first pair of electrical contacts 68, 70 on the door 36, the switch 40, the battery pack 44, the first pair of electrical contacts 60, 62 of the main body 12, and the motor 18. The electric circuit is selectively closeable by the switch 40.

The battery cells 46 can be interconnected in any suitable manner within the battery pack 44, such as all in series, all in parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. However, the battery pack 44 forms two portions of the electrical circuit when the battery pack 44 is inserted into the cavity 26 and the door 36 is closed.

Preferably, the battery pack 44 and main body 12 have structure to ensure that the battery pack is inserted in a proper orientation. The battery pack 44 has first and second ends 90, 92 with asymmetric profiles (see FIG. 6). The second end 92 has a channel 94 therein and the peripheral wall 34 of the main body 12 includes a complementary rib 96 (see FIGS. 3 and 8) which is disposed within the channel 94 when the battery pack 44 is inserted into the cavity 26 in the proper orientation. If the battery pack 44 is inserted into the cavity 26 in an opposite (incorrect) orientation, the rib 96 of the main body 12 contacts the first end 90 of the battery pack 44 preventing insertion.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10 & 11, instead of the battery pack, the air pump 10 is also adapted to be powered by a predetermined number of standard (widely-available), individual dry cell batteries 84, such as D-cell or C-cell batteries, or the like. Such batteries 84 have a generally cylindrical shape with a predetermined, industry-standard diameter and length, and have first and second poles 86, 88 (e.g., positive and negative) on opposite ends thereof.

Preferably, the air pump 10 is adapted to be powered by four such dry cells 84. Each dry cell 84 is inserted into the cavity 26 with one of the poles 86, 88 thereof in contact with one of the electrical contacts on the end wall 32 of the main body 12.

When all of the dry cells 84 are inserted into the cavity 26 and the door 36 is closed, an electric circuit is formed by the first and second pair of electrical contacts 68, 70, 73, 74 of the door 36, the switch 40, the dry cells 84, the first and second pair of electrical contacts 60, 62, 64, 66 of the main body 12, and the motor 18. The electric circuit is selectively closeable by the switch 40.

It can be appreciated that no manual reconfiguration of the electric contacts/circuit is required of the user when alternating between the battery pack and the individual dry cell batteries. Therefore, the air pump may be conveniently operated by standard dry cells when the battery pack is discharged and/or charging and easily returned to battery pack operation thereafter. Further, since the switch is included in both the first and second electrical circuits, the air pump may be conveniently activated in the same manner whether the air pump 10 is powered by the battery pack or individual dry cell batteries.

The electrical contacts 60, 62, 68, 70 included in the electric circuit formed by the battery back 44 comprise a first set of electrical contacts. The electrical contacts 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 73, 74 included in the electric circuit formed by the plurality of dry cell batteries comprise a second set of electrical contacts, which second set includes a greater number of electrical contacts than the first set. The electrical connections provided by the interconnected pairs of contacts 73/74 and 64/66 are not employed when the battery pack is installed because the battery pack includes internal interconnections.

The cavity 26 of the main body 12 is preferably sized and shaped to closely support and maintain the dry cells 84 in proper position and in electrical contact with the electric terminals of the end wall 32 and the door 36 such that the circuit formed thereby remains uninterrupted if the air pump 10 is moved after installation of the dry cells 84. Preferably, the width of each enlarged end portion 42 of the cavity 26 is substantially equal to (or slightly greater than) twice the predetermined dry cell type (e.g., D-cell) diameter such that adjacent dry cells support each other within the cavity.

Referring to FIGS. 12-16, a second embodiment of the air pump 110 is particularly suitable as an internal air pump for inflatable bodies, such as inflatable mattresses and the like. This embodiment has a dual power supply similar to that of the above embodiment. However the power switch of this embodiment is not contained in the door 136 and the rechargeable battery pack 144 has only one pair of electric contacts.

The motor, fan and power switch of this embodiment are preferably constructed according to the inventor's issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,762, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As disclosed therein, the power switch (not shown) may be contained within an enclosure 186 of the pump 110 and the switch is closed (turned on) by sliding the pump housing 188 outwardly from a socket of the enclosure 186 (as depicted). Alternatively, a manually operated power switch may be disposed in another suitable location on the air pump 110, such as in the door 136, or another suitable location accessible to the user from the exterior of the inflatable body.

The air pump 110 includes a main body 112 with a cavity 126, and a door 136. The air pump includes a rechargeable battery pack 144 and a plurality of independent dry cell batteries 184 that are alternately insertable into the cavity. The rechargeable battery pack 144 includes a pair of electrical contacts on a bottom surface 150. As can be appreciated, the electrical contacts may be alternatively located on a side of the battery pack 144, or another suitable location.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, in a third embodiment similar to the second embodiment, the air pump 210 includes a first pair of electrical contacts 260, 262 in an end wall of the cavity 226 of the main body 212, which are in series with the motor and power switch. Specifically, one of the electric contacts of the first pair is connected to the power switch and the other is connected to the motor. The motor is further connected to the power switch. The end wall of the cavity 226 also includes a second pair of electric contacts 264, 266 that are connected together. The door 236 includes a first pair of electric contacts 268, 270 that are connected together and a second pair of electric contacts 273, 274 that are connected together. However, the second pair of electric contacts 264, 266 on the end wall of the cavity 226 and the first and second electric contacts 268, 270, 273, 274 on the door are not employed when the air pump 210 is operated by the battery pack.

When the battery pack is inserted into the cavity 226 of the main body 212 and the door 236 is closed, a first electric circuit is formed by the battery pack, the first pair of electrical contacts of the end wall, and the motor. The electric circuit is selectively closeable by the switch, which is activated by sliding the motor housing into and out of the socket, as described in the above-mentioned U.S. patent.

Alternatively, when the dry cells are inserted into the cavity 226 and the door 236 is closed, a second electric circuit is formed by the first and second pairs of electric contacts on the door 236, the switch, the dry cells, the first and second pair of electrical contacts of the end wall of the main body 212, and the motor. The electric circuit is selectively closeable by the switch. In this manner, the air pump may be selectively operated by standard dry cells when the batter pack is discharged and/or charging.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, the battery pack 44 may include a recess 152 in the bottom 150 in which a spring 190 is disposed. Further, the cavity 226 (FIG. 15) can include a post 292 which is received within the recess 152 and which contacts the spring 190 when the battery pack 144 is inserted into the air pump. Preferably, the post 292 and spring 190 cooperate to raise the top of the battery pack 144 above a top of the cavity 126/226, when the door 136/236 is open, such that the user may easily grasp the battery pack to remove the battery pack from the air pump. Further, the post and spring permit the secure closure of the door with the battery pack inside the cavity 126/226.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific form of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention. 

1. A portable air pump, comprising: a fan; a main body having a cavity; an air inlet; an air outlet; a motor connected to the fan; a removable rechargeable battery pack; a plurality of individual dry cell batteries; the cavity having an opening and the cavity alternately receiving, through the opening, one of: the battery pack, and the plurality of individual dry cell batteries; a door having a closed position in which the door closes the opening of the cavity of the main body and having an open position for permitting the alternate installation and removal of the battery pack and plurality of dry cell batteries; an electric circuit being formed when the battery pack is inserted into the cavity and the door is in the closed position, including the battery pack and the motor; and an electric electrical circuit being formed when the plurality of individual dry cells are inserted into the cavity and the door is in the closed position, including the plurality of individual dry cell batteries and the motor; whereby the air pump may be alternately powered by the battery pack or dry cell batteries such that the air pump may be operable by the dry cell batteries during removal and recharging of the battery pack.
 2. A portable air pump as in claim 1, further comprising: one power switch; the cavity has a plurality of electrical contacts and the door has a plurality of electric contacts; a first electrical circuit is formed when the battery pack is inserted into the cavity and the door is in the closed position, the first electrical circuit comprising the battery pack, the motor, the one power switch, and a first set of electric contacts; and a second electrical circuit is formed when the plurality of individual dry cells are inserted into the cavity and the door is in the closed position, the second electrical circuit comprising the plurality of individual dry cell batteries, the motor, the one power switch, and a second set of electric contacts; and the first and second sets of electric contacts each comprising electric contacts of both the door and the cavity, and the second set of electric contacts comprising a greater number of electric contacts than the first set; whereby the air pump is operable by the one power switch when alternatively powered by the battery pack and the plurality of dry cell batteries.
 3. A air pump with a dual power supply, comprising: a fan; an air inlet; an air outlet; a motor connected to said fan; a switch; a removable battery pack having a plurality of rechargeable battery cells enclosed therewithin; a plurality of individual dry cell batteries; a main body having a cavity; said cavity having a plurality of electrical contacts; said cavity having an opening and said cavity alternately receiving, through said opening, one of: (a) said removable battery pack, or (b) said plurality of individual dry cell batteries; a door having an open position for permitting said alternate receiving of said removable battery pack or said plurality of dry cell batteries, and said door having a closed position in which said door closes said opening of said cavity and encloses, alternately, said removable battery pack or said plurality of dry cell batteries; a first electric circuit being formed when said battery pack is alternately inserted into said cavity and said door is in said closed position, said first electric circuit including said removable battery pack, said switch, and said motor; a second electric circuit being formed when said plurality of individual dry cells are alternately inserted into said cavity and said door is in said closed position, said second electric circuit including said plurality of individual dry cell batteries, said plurality of electrical contacts of said cavity, said switch, and said motor; and said air pump being alternately powered by said removable battery pack or said plurality of dry cell batteries, and operable by said switch in either instance, such that said air pump is operable during removal and recharging of said removable battery pack.
 4. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 3, further comprising: said door having a plurality of electrical contacts; said first electric circuit including said plurality of electrical contacts of said cavity; and said second electric circuit including said plurality of electrical contacts of said door.
 5. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 4, wherein: said plurality of electrical contacts of said door includes a first pair of electrical contacts, said first pair of electrical contacts of said door being connected together; said plurality of electrical contacts of said cavity includes a first pair of electrical contacts, said first pair of electrical contacts of said cavity being connected together; and said second electric circuit includes said first pairs of electrical contacts of said door and said cavity.
 6. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 5, wherein: said switch is disposed on said door; said plurality of electrical contacts of said door includes a second pair of electrical contacts, first and second ones of said second pair of electrical contacts of said door are connected to opposite poles of said switch; and said first and second electric circuits comprise said second pair of electrical contacts of said door.
 7. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 6, wherein: said plurality of electrical contacts of said cavity includes a second pair of electric contacts, said second pair of electric contacts of said cavity being connected to opposite poles of said motor; said first and second electric circuits including said second pair of electric contacts of said cavity.
 8. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 7, wherein: said cavity has a bottom wall, and said first and second pair of electrical contacts of said cavity are disposed on said bottom wall of said cavity; said removable battery pack has a first pair of electrical contacts on a top thereof and has a second pair of electrical contacts on a bottom thereof; said first pair of electrical contacts of said removable battery pack are in contact with said second pair of electrical contacts of said door, and said second pair of electrical contacts of said removable battery pack are in contact with said first pair of electrical contacts of said cavity, when said removable battery pack is alternately inserted into said cavity and said door is in said closed position; and said first electric circuit including said first and second pairs of electrical contacts of said removable battery pack.
 9. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 5, wherein: said plurality of electrical contacts of said door includes a second pair of electrical contacts, said second pair of electrical contacts of said door being connected together; said plurality of electrical contacts of said cavity includes a second pair of electric contacts, a first one of said second pair of electric contacts of said cavity being connected to said motor and a second one of said second pair of electrical contacts of said cavity being connected to said switch; said first electric circuit includes said second pair of electric contacts of said cavity; and said second electric circuit includes said first and second pairs of electrical contacts of said door and of said cavity.
 10. An air pump with a dual power supply, comprising: a fan; a motor connected to said fan; a switch connected to said motor; a main body having cavity a removable battery pack having a plurality of rechargeable battery cells enclosed therewithin; a plurality of individual dry cell batteries; said cavity having an opening and said cavity alternately receiving, through said opening, one of: (a) said removable battery pack, or (b) said plurality of individual dry cell batteries;
 11. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 3, wherein: said motor is disposed in said cavity; said removable battery pack has a recess sized and shaped to receive said motor; and said motor is received within said recess of said removable battery pack when said removable battery pack is alternately received within said cavity.
 12. An air pump with a dual power supply, as in claim 9, wherein: said plurality of individual dry cell batteries are standard D-Cell or C-Cell batteries; and said plurality of individual dry cell batteries are connected in series. 